ANA Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation® Blog - The Power of Networking in Nursing
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Nurses can help each other — and themselves — by building connections inside and outside the workplace.
Some people are natural networkers. Strangers quickly become friends, and they feel comfortable talking to anyone and everyone at social gatherings and networking mixers. It’s just who they are.
If you’re one of these people, you’ve probably noticed — and benefited from — the power of networking. Congratulations!
For others, networking does not come naturally. Many associate it with sales or negotiating deals. However, it’s really more about meeting new people in your field.
If you think about networking as connecting with people, it takes on a whole new meaning. And nurses are great at connecting.
As a profession, nursing is centered around connection. Nurses form important bonds with their patients, built on trust and compassion. A positive nurse-patient relationship leads to better outcomes for patients, empowerment for nurses, and satisfaction for both.
A strong network can offer the same empowerment and satisfaction. It can also offer you opportunities for growth, personal and professional development, and community-building. There are many ways to build these powerful connections, both inside and outside your workplace — even if you don’t consider yourself a networker.
How Networking Can Help Nurses
Surveys show that networking is one of the best ways to find (and fill) a job opening. Your network can also help you build community and find allies to advocate for improvements in health care. This impacts everyone in the industry.
According to NurseJournal, the biggest benefits to networking include:
Networking doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but it’s a great skill to learn and develop. Here are some helpful ideas for making powerful connections:
Places to Build Your Professional Network
If you’re not sure how to start, the good news is there are many ways to build professional connections. You can choose options that feel comfortable and fit into your schedule.
Easy networking opportunities include:
Don’t Get Overwhelmed — Keep It Simple
It’s OK if you don’t have time for regular networking events outside of work. Everything you do to build relationships counts. Small gestures like inviting a coworker to lunch or emailing a teammate to congratulate them for a job well done establish meaningful connections, too.
What have you gained from building your professional network? Share with us in the discussion below.
Not a member of Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN) yet? Join today!
Sign up for our monthly challenges!
If you’re one of these people, you’ve probably noticed — and benefited from — the power of networking. Congratulations!
For others, networking does not come naturally. Many associate it with sales or negotiating deals. However, it’s really more about meeting new people in your field.
If you think about networking as connecting with people, it takes on a whole new meaning. And nurses are great at connecting.
As a profession, nursing is centered around connection. Nurses form important bonds with their patients, built on trust and compassion. A positive nurse-patient relationship leads to better outcomes for patients, empowerment for nurses, and satisfaction for both.
A strong network can offer the same empowerment and satisfaction. It can also offer you opportunities for growth, personal and professional development, and community-building. There are many ways to build these powerful connections, both inside and outside your workplace — even if you don’t consider yourself a networker.
How Networking Can Help Nurses
Surveys show that networking is one of the best ways to find (and fill) a job opening. Your network can also help you build community and find allies to advocate for improvements in health care. This impacts everyone in the industry.
According to NurseJournal, the biggest benefits to networking include:
- Career development: Relationships within your industry can help you uncover job opportunities, secure referrals and references, and discover new career paths.
- Coaching and mentoring opportunities: Mentorship in nursing benefits both the mentor and mentee. Mentees receive guidance, sharpen problem-solving skills, and feel higher satisfaction in their careers. Mentors develop communication and leadership skills, stay on top of new trends, and help advance the nursing industry.
- Industry improvement: Participating in committees and associations with other health care professionals gives you a role in shaping processes that improve patient care. Effecting positive change helps you and your fellow nurses experience greater career success and satisfaction.
- Support system: A strong network can support you through stressful times and help you avoid burnout. Building connections within your unit or organization enables you to share knowledge and work as a team to handle difficult situations.
Networking doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but it’s a great skill to learn and develop. Here are some helpful ideas for making powerful connections:
- Ask questions: Seeking information shows a willingness to learn and grow. People will often share valuable insights and wisdom when they know you’re interested.
- Be prepared: If you’re heading to an event, bring your business cards and prepare a few words to introduce yourself. If someone hands you their business card, write a quick note about how you met them on the back.
- Seek ways to help: Rather than focusing on how networking can benefit you, find opportunities to help those around you. This can include coaching other nurses, volunteering your time on committees or events, or using your connections to help a colleague in their job search.
- Stay in touch: Don’t let those new connections fade away. Add people you meet at events to your social media network and engage with them there. Or send a quick email telling them you enjoyed meeting them.
Places to Build Your Professional Network
If you’re not sure how to start, the good news is there are many ways to build professional connections. You can choose options that feel comfortable and fit into your schedule.
Easy networking opportunities include:
- Join a committee: The simplest way to start networking is within your organization. Workplace committees offer opportunities to build rapport with fellow team members and contribute to policy and procedure development. Consider joining a workplace safety committee. Safety committees help prevent workplace violence (WPV) and increase awareness of WPV risks, especially to frontline workers like nurses.
- Local associations: The American Nurses Association (ANA) also recommends getting involved on a local level. Most states have a constituent state nurses association where you can find ways to participate. Visit your association’s website to see upcoming events, membership information, and more.
- Online communities: These groups offer convenient networking opportunities. They can connect you with nurses around the world, alert you to job openings, or teach you about different health care organizations. You can also join discussions and groups with fellow health care professionals on topics that interest you.
- Conferences and seminars: If you’d like more expansive opportunities, consider registering for national conferences or continuing education seminars outside your local area. These can help you broaden your network and tune in to trends happening across the country.
Don’t Get Overwhelmed — Keep It Simple
It’s OK if you don’t have time for regular networking events outside of work. Everything you do to build relationships counts. Small gestures like inviting a coworker to lunch or emailing a teammate to congratulate them for a job well done establish meaningful connections, too.
What have you gained from building your professional network? Share with us in the discussion below.
Not a member of Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN) yet? Join today!
Sign up for our monthly challenges!
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10/02/2024 8:52am CDT
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